NHL Player News

Merzlikins stopped 23 of 28 shots in Latvia's 5-1 loss to Sweden in the 2026 Winter Olympics on Tuesday.

Latvia's Olympic campaign came to an end Tuesday in a loss to Sweden, though that outcome was totally expected given the difference in quality between the two teams. Merzlikins allowed 10 goals on 66 shots faced in two starts in the Olympics. He'll report back to the Blue Jackets, as Columbus will resume its regular-season campaign on the road against the Bruins on Feb. 26.

Markstrom stopped 20 of 21 shots in Sweden's 5-1 win over Latvia in the 2026 Winter Olympics on Tuesday.

Markstrom was beaten midway through the second period, but other than that, he was excellent in a game where the offense provided enough support to claim an easy win. However, the Devils' netminder will have a tougher challenge against Team USA on Wednesday in the quarterfinals. Markstrom has stopped 49 of 53 shots in his two starts in the current Olympic campaign.

Zibanejad registered a goal and an assist in Sweden's 5-1 win over Latvia in the 2026 Winter Olympics on Tuesday.

Zibanejad recorded two points in the Olympic opener against Italy on Feb. 11, and he continues to find a way to produce with another two-point tally. Zibanejad is tied for second in points on the Swedish team, trailing only Lucas Raymond, who has eight (one goal, seven helpers) after a three-assist performance in this win.

Landeskog registered a goal and an assist in Sweden's 5-1 win over Latvia in the 2026 Winter Olympics on Tuesday.

Landeskog was one of three Swedish players with a goal and an assist in this win, alongside William Nylander and Mika Zibanejad. Landeskog has three points (two goals, one assist) so far in the Olympics, but he'll have a tougher matchup Wednesday when facing the United States.

Nylander registered a goal and an assist in Sweden's 5-1 win over Latvia in the 2026 Winter Olympics on Tuesday.

The Swedes needed to win to secure a spot in the quarterfinals, and Nylander was one of three players who recorded a goal and at least two points in what turned out to be an easy win. The Maple Leafs star has four points (two goals, two assists) in four games so far in the Olympic campaign.

Dries was reassigned to AHL Grand Rapids on Tuesday.

After spending the day on the Red Wings' active roster, Dries will return to Grand Rapids alongside Austin Watson. The 31-year-old Dries hasn't appeared in an NHL game yet this season, but has compiled 17 goals, a plus-18 rating and 33 points across 39 games with the Griffins this season. His brief stint with the NHL club could be foreshadowing a move back to Detroit later in the season if Dries continues to score at his current pace.

Watson was reassigned to AHL Grand Rapids on Tuesday.

Watson received an emergency recall earlier in the day. The 34-year-old won't be eligible to be called up again until after he makes his next appearance for the Griffins.

Letang (foot) participated in Tuesday's practice and feels close to being ready to play, Michelle Crechiolo of the Penguins' official site reports.

Following a four-game absence due to a fracture in his foot, Letang appears to be trending toward a return to the lineup against New Jersey on Feb. 26. However, he remains on injured reserve for now. Letang has registered three goals, 25 points, 81 shots on net, 64 blocked shots and 67 hits through 50 appearances this season.

Per head coach Scott Arniel, Pionk (lower body) has a chance to return during Winnipeg's upcoming three-game road trip, Ken Wiebe of The Winnipeg Free Press reports Tuesday.

Winnipeg's road trip will begin in Vancouver on Feb. 25. Pionk missed 12 of the Jets' last 14 games prior to the Olympic break due to a lower-body injury. After a 39-point campaign across 69 regular-season games a year ago, the 30-year-old blueliner has struggled offensively this season with six assists, eight points, 76 shots on net, 84 hits and 64 blocked shots across 40 appearances. If he can return to Winnipeg's lineup during the three-game road trip, he'll likely step into a top-four defensive pairing and should remain a solid source of category-coverage stats.

Holloway (ankle) will likely return to the lineup for St. Louis' clash against Seattle on Feb. 26, Lou Korac of NHL.com reports Tuesday.

After dealing with an ankle injury over the past two months, Holloway is expected to return from injured reserve ahead of the Blues' next game. The 24-year-old winger has eight goals, nine assists, 79 shots on net, 91 hits and 27 blocked shots across 34 games this season. While his offensive production has taken a hit since the 63-point campaign he posted across 77 regular-season appearances a year ago, the young forward has remained a strong source of category coverage stats in fantasy when healthy this season. He'll look to spark St. Louis' offense when he returns to the lineup and should see a solid chunk of playing time anywhere inside the Blues' top nine.